Adult Scoliosis Correction – 7th grade teacher and marathon runner
“I will never forget the feeling of being told I need surgery and the fear that comes along with it. Seeing others that have had successful surgeries really helped me and I would love to be able to help others with my story.”
I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was in middle school, during our annual school screening. As if it is not awkward enough going through the screening process, it is even more uncomfortable to be one of the few that had an abnormal curve in their spine. As a child, I did not fully understand what was going on, but my mom took me to the doctor to get some X-Rays. We monitored my curve progression throughout my adolescent years. I took dance classes the majority of my childhood and I was on my school’s drill team in junior high and high school. I did not let scoliosis affect my ability to do the activities that I enjoyed, but it was always in the back of my mind. I knew that it was getting worse and eventually I would have to face the music and have surgery.
Over time, my curve progressed and it became more apparent that my shoulders and hips were uneven. My spine progressed into a double “S” curve and surgery was recommended when I was 21 years old. I had my first surgery in 2007, but only my thoracic curve was corrected.
In 2015, at the age of 30, I began having some minor aches in my back and I decided that it would be a good idea to find a doctor and get a checkup before having children. I came across Spine Associates through an Internet search and I made an appointment. Dr. Francis reviewed my X-Rays and found that my lumbar curve had progressed 10 degrees in the last 8 years. He told me that I would need another surgery to extend my fusion down to my lumbar spine. Dr. Francis explained that my fusion was sitting on an unstable foundation and further progression could eventually affect what I already had done. The thought of having another surgery was terrifying at first, but I knew it needed to be done. After learning about Dr. Francis’ qualifications and his expertise in new surgical technology, I felt confident that I was in good hands.
My advice to others would be to take your diagnosis seriously. Listen to your doctor and consider your options. You should also remember that scoliosis does not have to define you. It can be successfully treated and it is possible to live a normal life after scoliosis surgery.
I often think about how different my life would be if I had chosen not to undergo surgery. I can’t even imagine what I would look like today if I had just let my curves continue to progress. Since my first surgery, I picked up running as a hobby. In the last 3 years, I have run several 5Ks, 10Ks, and 2 half marathons! I’ve even won medals for placing in my age division at a few races. My best 5K time is 28 minutes and I ran a half-marathon (13.1 miles) last year in 2 hours and 15 minutes (without any walking breaks). Yes, I can run short and long distances with a fused spine! Dr. Francis assured me that my recent surgery would not affect my ability to run. In fact, I signed up for a 5K at 11 weeks post-op. I am planning to do some brisk walking/jogging and I will eventually work myself back up to full force running.
I decided to become a Spine Associates scoliosis patient ambassador because I have experienced the fear of preparing for scoliosis surgery TWICE. Unless you are in that position, you may not fully understand the “what ifs” that run through a patient’s mind in the months before surgery. I had a lot of fears and questions going into both of my surgeries and I found myself obsessively searching online for YouTube videos and stories of others that had been through this process. I just wanted to see that someone made it through and was able to live a normal life. Now, I am able to say that I have made it through two surgeries and I feel stronger than ever. I decided to become a Scoliosis Patient Ambassador to be a source of encouragement to others that may be contemplating surgery.